Stevenson's Top Ten Memorable Moments for 2008

1. Noah started Kindergarten (all-day)

2. I started working at the Othello Independnet newspaper

3. Jacob learned to walk

4. Kade was potty-trained

5. Mike became a volunteer fire-fighter

6. Kayla started high school (we think)

7. Mike's dad, Gary, died

8. We changed the following on our house:
*new windows in the bedrooms
*made curtains for the front room (only took me 3+ years)
*insulated the attic better

9. lots of self scrapbooking & CTMH selling

10. great & profitable year at Pro-Build (one of the only profitable stores in the chain)

Editorial of a Mom

I write a column for the newspaper that I work for. It is always about life as a Mom. This was my first one. They named the column: Another Gray Hair - isn't that perfect?! I thought I should post at least once in 2008. :) You can see my other columns at: www.OthelloIndependent.com. I do not put in the names of my boys in print. If people know me or them then they will already know their names. I couldn't get the photo to work - thought i better just post just in case I don't get back to it.

Oh, to see life through the eyes of a child.
My youngest son is 20 months old. He is so animated and expressive without using words. His smile and laugh lights up the room. He is adorable – but I am biased.
I don’t know where I have been recently, but he seems to have awakened to life and curiosity this past week. Was it him asleep, or me? It is so easy to miss these little fascinations and delights of life. Watching the leaves flutter in the breeze, the magic of a new toy, seeing himself in the mirror or in a photo, playing peek-a-boo, reading a favorite book. All of these things amaze and intrigue him.
Have I lost those fascinations with age? Is it all the rushing around, deadlines, and to-do lists that have stolen that from me? How hard is it to take a moment to fascinate on the wonders of the world? How often do I do it… never.
I have been trying to declutter our lives of the excess toys, clothes and unnecessary things that seem to accumulate. I have a growing pile of things to give away.
My inquisitive boys, ages 5, 3 and 1, found the toy pile that I thought I had so expertly hid. Many of these had moving parts with lots of little pieces that seemed to end up all over the house, in the dogs mouth, under foot, everywhere. My boys got everything out and sorted it into piles on my bed of which parts go together with which toys. These were all loud toys that make noise in some way. Elefun is an elephant with a long nose that has butterflies that fly all over that you catch with nets - LOTS of little parts! This is only one of three toys that I’m sick of.
“We will not be buying toys that make noise this year!” I hear my lovely husband say.
“Tell all of your family. If they buy a toy for the boys that make noise they I will send it back to them!”
But somehow a few always seem to make it under the tree or as a birthday gift.
Toys with moving parts that make noise are my youngest’s big fascination. His giggles and squeals of delight kept me entertained and mesmerized by him. I just loved to see his eyes light up and the glee that flowed from him. May be I should keep these toys after all. That thought will go away after having it in our home again for a short time, very short time.
May we all have that curiosity and fascination once in awhile.
Life though the eyes of child would make us all happier. We would forget about the stress of life and the lists. We would eat cake for breakfast, and it would be ok. We could dress ourselves in our favorite clothes everyday, and would not have to match. We don’t have to wear shoes, or coats, ever. Playing would be a priority over the dishes.

Vawdrey Top Ten Or So

Here are our top ten for 2008. Okay, so there are only nine. Let me know if you can think of anything else exciting we've been doing this year.

1. We moved to New Jersey to enjoy the suburban lifestyle with the nearby, and easily accessible, excitement of the big city.
2. Zach learned to walk.
3. Sarah started school which has saved my sanity and been so good for her as well.
4. Sarah learned to read and loves to do it.
5. David was called as the bishop in our new ward.
6. We had lots of visitors--eight different groups of people that I can think of.
7. We took a trip to Washington DC.
8. We bought a newer car.
9. We enjoyed a trip home to Utah during the summer.
   

Top Ten of 2008-Let's Hear From You

With five days to go in the year, tell us your top ten experiences. They don't have to be the best just significant. Here are ours, not in any special order:
1. 35 Yr Anniversary trip to DC, Virginia & NC.
2. Taxidermy School for Allan (Can't stop talking about it).
3. Thumb Surgery & Dad's colonsoscopy.
4. Trip to NJ, NYC & seeing Wicked.
5. Temples never attended- DC, Manhattan, Boise & Rexburg.
6. Jobs out of the blue-Allan's work & income came from nowhere.
7. Medical bills topping $30k & out of pocket $3k.
8. KSL.com sales of many items including the Acura.
9. Bought Alicia's newer car.
10. Home improvements-painted rooms,door, etc.

Okay, it is your turn to give your best of 2008. Combined or separately. Include a picture of your family also.

The Day of Christmas -I Give to You-12 Loves for Life

On this Christmas Day I want to tell you how blessed we have been this year with:
1. The Savior (His example, taking our sins, love & all)
2. Gift of the Holy Ghost (Guiding us on our way, when we let Him.)
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Keeps us choosing the right.)
4. Scriptures (Brings peace & helps us each day overcome evil.)
5. Prayer (Thanking the Lord & asking for His help.)
5. Family (Someone to love & be loved by.)
6. Good Health (Take care of your body, because it is all you have.)
7. Work to do (How boring life gets when we aren't busy.)
8. Freedom (We can choose what to do, when & where to go.)
9. Fun (We need it, love it & feel good afterward.)
10. Food (How blessed we are to have it abundantly.)
11. Earth (Oh, how I love the beauty of it.)
12. Life itself (We are all here, what we make of it is up to us & it's great to be alive.)
Love, MOM

11th Day MTLGTM-11 Temples w/Recommends

Here are the temples in our districts (except IF) and the ones we have been able to attend this year (except DC). I can't believe we never took a picture of it. See if you can guess what ones they are of the following: Jrdn River, Salt Lake, Boise, Rexburg, Columbia River, Spokane, Logan, NYC, Oquirrh & Draper, the two new ones. We are happy to say that there are eleven recommend holders in our family. May you all enjoy attending and receiving the blessings of the temples.

10th Day MTLGTM- 10 Months W/Birthdays

Our family has birthdays in ten months of the year.
They are: January-Breann 17th, Alicia 22nd, Hunter 28th
March-Sarah 9th, Jacob 12th
April-Mauri 22nd, Jory 27th
May-Kade 16th
June-Mom 23rd, Noah 29th
July-Brayle 1st, Jenn 9th, Jed 28th
August-Aaron 30th
Sept-Zachary 13th
Oct-Michael 19th, Makayla 26th
Nov-Dad 9th, Dave 19th
How blessed we are to be a family and enjoy life together here on earth.